Coliseum on Monday night Ed Oliver Jersey , Sean McVay was still buzzing when he left the building after the Los Angeles Rams‘ epic victory over Kansas City.When he finally reached his suburban home, the coach wasn’t ready to lose that feeling. Instead, McVay and some friends kicked off the Rams’ bye week by watching highlights of Los Angeles’ 54-51 win deep into the night.“I was pretty wired, man,” McVay said Tuesday afternoon, about 21 hours after kickoff. “I would say right now is about the first time I’m starting to wind down and to be able to take a nap hopefully here soon.”McVay and the Rams have absolutely earned their sleep.Los Angeles (10-1) is this season’s first team to reach double digits in victories after holding off the Chiefs in a game that featured so many eye-popping digits: a 14-touchdown, 105-point http://www.billsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-cody-ford-jersey , 1,001-yard masterpiece of pure entertainment.The third highest-scoring game in league history was the latest peak in the Rams’ two-year transformation under McVay, whose staff has put this long-downtrodden franchise in position to clinch its first back-to-back division titles since the 1970s as soon as this weekend if Carolina beats Seattle.The win over Kansas City also was the culmination of two difficult weeks for the organization and its city.Players, coaches and team employees were forced from their homes by wildfires two weeks ago while many were still reeling from a mass shooting near their training complex in Thousand Oaks. The Rams then spent the previous week on the road in Colorado Springs to train for the high altitudes of Mexico City — only to have the Monday night game moved back home to LA on six days’ notice.“I think the players did an outstanding job of handling what seems like two weeks that was about two years’ worth of things that they had to go through,” McVay said. “All they did was just handle it like pros and do everything the right way that makes you appreciative of just being able to work with people like this.”The final snap against Kansas City felt like closure to the players who persevered through this two-week stretch. McVay and the Rams now get a holiday week to contemplate what they’ve accomplished and how far they’ve still got to go.Because for all their success, McVay knows the Rams have ample room for improvement.McVay and his staff will use part of their bye week to study this triumph over the Chiefs, likely turning a critical eye on ways to help a defense that relied on big plays to survive this thriller.Kansas City outgained Los Angeles 546-455 with six touchdown passes by Patrick Mahomes.The Rams are desperately looking forward to the probable post-bye return of standout cornerback Aqib Talib. They were also happy to get contributions from surprising defensive sources in an otherwise offense-dominated night.Samson Ebukam Devin Singletary Jersey , the Rams’ unsung second-year outside linebacker, might have been the most important player on the field against the Chiefs. Ebukam returned a fumble forced by Aaron Donald for a touchdown, made a preposterous one-armed interception and returned it for another TD, and finally pressured Mahomes just enough to impede his throwing motion on a pass subsequently intercepted by Rams teammate Marcus Peters with 1:18 left.“It’s crazy we had five takeaways, just to see they still put up 51 points,” Rams receiver Robert Woods said. “We tried to eliminate the big plays, but we know they have some talented players. At the end of the day http://www.billsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-dawson-knox-jersey , we sealed them off.”The Rams can also use their time off to get healthy, which is always a good thing at this time of year.Los Angeles dropped those 54 points on Kansas City even with mild contributions from NFL rushing leader Todd Gurley, whose 13-game touchdown streak ended while he made just 12 carries for 54 yards and caught three passes for 39 yards.Confirming what many suspected during the game, McVay said Gurley was limited by an ankle injury after “getting rolled up on” earlier in the game.McVay doesn’t believe it will be a long-term problem, and he said Gurley’s light action in the second half was mostly due to the Chiefs’ schemes — particularly a set with 11 men in the box late in the game, leading to McVay’s decision to call passing plays in a last-minute attempt to get a game-clinching first down.“There were a lot of instances where they were playing some defensive structures where they were basically daring you to throw it,” McVay said. “That’s a result of the respect they have for Todd and our running game.” In 2001 Brian Burns Jersey , HBO introduced the world to Hard Knocks; a show that followed an NFL team as they prepared for the upcoming season. While it was hardly the first time that we’d seen footage of football practice and executive discussions, Hard Knocks offered something different. It was a deep dive into what life in the NFL was really like on a day-by-day basis. The cameras were constantly rolling, which meant that players, coaches, owners, trainers, and every other member of the organizations couldn’t easily turn it on or off for the media. The result was the rare reality show that felt genuine. In fact http://www.panthersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-greg-little-jersey , there were times when everyone on the show almost seemed relieved that they had someone to share all the insanity with.Oh, what insanity there was. While the quality of Hard Knocks individual seasons varied wildly (they were heavily dependent on the personalities of the players) even the worst seasons of the show featured things that just made you wonder whether the NFL is the most expensive daycare in the United States. It seems that when you get a lot of highly-paid, highly-athletic, and generally immature millionaires together, crazy things are bound to happen. On top of that, you had genuine drama that NFL fans couldn’t believe they were getting to witness outside of some report on ESPN. This all led to moments that Hard Knocks fans will never be able to forget. This all led to these 20 things that actually happened on NFL Hard Knocks.

KANSAS CITY Shareef Miller Jersey , Mo. — just two days after Kansas City failed to stop Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on what turned out to be the only possession of overtime in a crushing 37-31 playoff defeat.Chiefs coach Andy Reid announced the firing in a brief statement. It came one day after he said he would evaluate all aspects of the team but declined to address Sutton’s future specifically.“Bob is a good football coach and a great person. He played an integral role in the success of our team over the last six seasons,” Reid said. “I’ve said before that change can be a good thing for both parties, and I believe that is the case here for the Chiefs and Bob.”The 67-year-old Sutton had been defensive coordinator since 2013, when he joined Reid’s initial staff in Kansas City. The longtime college and NFL assistant had previously spent more than a decade with the New York Jets, including a stint as defensive coordinator.His defenses performed reasonably well the first few seasons in Kansas City, but the bend-but-don’t-break approach began to grow stale. The Chiefs struggled to stop anybody last season, and many fans called for Sutton to be replaced then, only for Reid to give him another chance.Despite investing heavily in the defense, both through free agency and the draft, the unit fared even worse this season. Kansas City allowed 405.5 yards per game, better only than Cincinnati, and was the ninth-worst scoring defense in the league. The Chiefs were especially poor against the run http://www.eaglesfootballauthentics.com/zach-brown-jersey-authentic , and it showed in Sony Michel’s success against them in the AFC championship game. Michel ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns, while Brady threw for 348 yards and another score, as the Patriots dominated time of possession and piled up 524 yards.That includes 75 yards in overtime, when the Patriots won the coin toss and marched downfield for the winning touchdown. All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense, which led the NFL in scoring this season, never got an opportunity with the ball in overtime.Even more damning to Sutton was the call by CBS analyst Tony Romo on the TV broadcast. Romo was uncanny in predicting exactly what New England would do, yet the Chiefs were unable to stop it.“We wanted to do better there,” Reid said during his end-of-season news conference Monday. “When it comes down to the last drive, you magnify where it is, but this was the championship game. It was in overtime. When you really cut to the chase of it here, the few games we lost, we lost by minimal points, so we were obviously doing something right.”Yet the Chiefs allowed an average of 37.6 points during their four regular-season losses and their playoff defeat. And while they were among the best in the league at rushing the quarterback this season http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-isaiah-johnson-jersey , they failed to sack Brady during the AFC championship game.“I put this on the defense,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said afterward. “We’ve got to build from it, learn from it and we’ll be better next year.”Reid did not indicate who his new defensive coordinator might be, though there are unsubstantiated reports Tuesday that there was mutual interest with longtime NFL coach Rex Ryan. Reid could also promote from within his own staff, something he has chosen to do often with offensive coordinators.The job should be attractive on a number of levels.The Chiefs have several building blocks in place, including Jones and pass rushers Dee Ford and Justin Houston, and are poised to invest even more in the defense this offseason. They have three draft picks in the first two rounds, giving them a chance to plug up some of their biggest holes.They are also well-positioned to compete for championships for years to come with Mahomes entering his third season and a bevy of playmakers around him, such as Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.“I will tell you, this is a good group right here of young guys, the nucleus of this group,” Reid said. “And it is important in today’s football that the nucleus of this group gives you an opportunity to win football games and strive to win the championship.”100View Gallery Gallery:View from the sidelines: NFL cheerleaders 2018Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports | Raj Mehta OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — While the Oakland Raiders celebrated with their fans following the possible final game at the Coliseum Devin Bush Jersey , the Denver Broncos trudged off the field with a lowly distinction.For the first time in 46 years, the Broncos are losers in back-to-back seasons.Now the big question following a 27-14 loss to the Raiders on Monday night that provided Denver’s ninth defeat of the season is whether the two down years will cost coach Vance Joseph his job.“It’s frustrating,” he said. “Our team, I thought we maxed out every game. Probably the Jets game didn’t max out, but it didn’t feel good today. We didn’t play good enough football to win. Defensively, we had our moments, but still gave up two big drives when we had to get stops. We didn’t play very good football today.”That’s been the case far too often in Joseph’s two years at the helm as one of the NFL’s most consistent franchises has run into some tough times of late.Denver (6-9) went 5-11 in Joseph’s first year but showed signs of improvement this season when the Broncos beat Cincinnati on Dec. 2 to improve to 6-6 with playoff aspirations.But three straight losses to teams that entered the game with losing records followed and now a franchise that won a Super Bowl as recently as 2015 is searching for answers. This is the first time since 1971-72 that Denver posted losing records in consecutive seasons. That had been the longest active streak without doing it.“It’s tough,” star pass rusher Von Miller said. “Especially being part of an organization that’s so used to elite play, elite wins and being an elite organization. It’s tough and it’s the story of the season. We played every game tough. We played every game hard for our team and our coaches but came up short.”There were plenty of problems against the Raiders on a night the fans came out to celebrate a stadium that might have hosted its final game. The Raiders (4-11) are set to move to Las Vegas in 2020 and have no lease for next year. With Oakland officials having sued the team over the move, the Raiders are looking into other options for 2019, including AT&T Park in San Francisco.A decision is expected before the Super Bowl, but many of the die-hards came out for this game knowing it could be the last NFL game ever in the stadium that opened in 1966.The Broncos did little to spoil the party, starting with a botched special teams play that led to a 99-yard punt return touchdown for Dwayne Harris http://www.steelersfootballauthentics.com/diontae-johnson-jersey-authentic , continuing with 11 penalties and ending with a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions by Case Keenum that ended any comeback hopes.“We all want to play better,” Keenum said. “Nobody likes not winning. We all hate losing. We all want to play hard and we all want to win for Coach Joseph. We all love him. He’s an incredible human and a great football coach. I want to play hard for him and I want to play hard for everybody in that locker room. That’s a big part of our team and our identity that we stay together, we all like and respect each other and we all fight for each other. But it’s a production league. When you’re not winning, it’s tough.”The biggest bright spot for the game became tainted as well when Phillip Lindsay left the game with a wrist injury after becoming just the third undrafted rookie ever to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.Lindsay ran for 46 yards to reach 1,037 on the season, joining Dominic Rhodes and LaGarrette Blount in the accomplishment. Lindsay needs 68 more yards to break Rhodes’ record set in 2001 for Indianapolis.But he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to play the finale against the Chargers.“I’m going to get it looked at it tomorrow and go from there,” he said. “If I can play, I can play. Right now I can’t tell you anything because I don’t even know. I’ll go back tomorrow and get it looked at.”

MIAMI (AP)While the Miami Open is giving up its picturesque island setting for suburban sprawl D.K. Metcalf Jersey , the tennis tournament’s new home will include a 13,800-seat showcase court in the Miami Dolphins’ stadium and 29 permanent outer courts, with the largest seating 5,042 spectators. IMG, which owns the event, said Wednesday the new site will include more space for players http://www.seahawkscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-cody-barton-jersey , fans and parking, along with better infrastructure and amenities. Dade County commission to move 18 miles north in 2019 from its longtime home of Key Biscayne. Construction of the new tennis complex will begin soon and cost more than $50 million, with much of the work done on grounds that had been used for football parking. Total seating capacity will increase to 32,474 from 25,062, including 5 Gary Jennings Jr. Jersey ,660 at practice courts. Lighting will allow for more night matches than in the past. The stadium court will use both permanent and temporary seats, with the net located over the 50-yard line. Screens will hide unused football seats. There will be double the number of parking spaces and suites at the new site. The grounds will feature a ”tennis oasis” for fans with the largest video screen of any tournament. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who also owns the stadium, said last spring he was willing to invest in a tennis complex on stadium grounds because he wanted to keep the tournament in South Florida. The Dolphins then reached an agreement with IMG and the county. ”We are extremely excited that the Miami Open, a global entertainment event, will remain in our community http://www.seahawkscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-phil-haynes-jersey ,” Ross said in a statement. ”The Miami Open belongs in Miami,” IMG co-president Mark Shapiro said. A 2015 appeals court decision preventing upgrades to the Key Biscayne complex had left the event’s future in question. There had been speculation the tournament might leave South Florida, with potential sites ranging from South America to China. ”The Miami Open has been a part of Miami’s culture for as long as I can remember,” eight-time Key Biscayne champion Serena Williams said in a statement. ”I am thrilled the Miami Open is staying in Miami where it belongs.” The tournament will be held on Key Biscayne for the 32nd and final time beginning March 19. NEW YORK (AP) — New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas has been fined $30,000 by the NFL for using a phone as a prop for a touchdown celebration in last week’s victory over the Rams.Thomas emulated former Saints wideout Joe Horn with his celebration, hiding the phone in the bottom of the goal post and pulling it out after scoring. He was fined for that and having a mobile device in the bench area.Also fined was Carolina defensive tackle Vernon Butler Ugo Amadi Jersey , whose hit on Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick cost him a hefty $40,110.Three players were docked $26,739: Ravens safety Eric Weddle for a hit on a defenseless receiver; Chargers rookie safety Derwin James for unnecessary roughness; and Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu (helmet-to-helmet hit).A facemask penalty cost Dolphins DE Andre Branch $20,054. Chargers DE Darius Philon was fined the same amount for a hit on Seahawks QB Russell Wilson. Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens was docked $13,369 for unsportsmanlike conduct.Fined $10,026 were Rams tackle Rodger Saffold (unnecessary roughness); Jets offensive lineman Brandon Shell (unnecessary roughness); Bills tight end Logan Thomas (late hit); Bears linebacker Aaron Lynch (unsportsmanlike conduct);Packers safety Jermaine Whitehead (unnecessary roughness; he was also ejected against New England); and Titans safety Kevin Byard (taunting by running to the Cowboys star at AT&T Stadium).

Drew Brees to Michael Thomas Jamel Dean Jersey , plenty of runs by Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, and enough dashes of defense to negate the high-powered offense of the Los Angeles Rams.Will that be the proper recipe?Here’s how they match up:WHEN LOS ANGELES HAS THE BALLBalance is the keyword to the Rams’ offense, starting with the NFL’s most versatile running back, All-Pro Todd Gurley (30). Gurley not only led the NFL with 21 TDs, he ranked fourth with 1,831 yards from scrimmage despite being slowed in December. He can do the dirty work inside and also break long gainers. And when he’s struggled with knee issues recently, late-season pickup C.J. Anderson (35) has been masterful.To combat the ground game, the Saints could be at a disadvantage after losing DT Sheldon Rankins to a torn Achilles tendon last week. They’ll require steady production from their best linebacker, Demario Davis (56) who led the Saints with 110 tackles this season, and strong play from the D-line. But the Rams bring a staunch blocking unit featuring LT Andrew Whitworth (77), LG Rodger Saffold (76) and RT Rob Havenstein (79).Should LA control the trenches, it will open up what already is a highly creative passing repertoire for Jared Goff (16) and wideouts Robert Woods (17), Brandin Cooks (12) and rapidly developing Josh Reynolds (83). All of them can find the end zone, with Cooks being the main deep threat. A former Saint, he’ll likely match up with CB Marshon Lattimore (23), who had two interceptions against Philadelphia.Teams can throw deep on New Orleans, and the Rams will try. Goff, though, will need protection from pass rushers Cam Jordan (93) D.K. Metcalf Jersey , Marcus Davenport (91) and the always-present Davis. And Goff must not let the noise factor affect him.WHEN NEW ORLEANS HAS THE BALLJust like LA, New Orleans will try nearly anything on offense. Fourth-down plays, a form of the wildcat with backup QB/special teamer Taysom Hill, and old-fashioned grinding will be in play.Brees (9) has had one of the best seasons of his Hall of Fame-caliber career, particularly with his efficiency. Last week, though, it was his leadership that stood out as the Saints fell into a 14-0 hole and looked amateurish before rallying.Knowing New Orleans will need lots of points in this one, Brees could target All-Pro WR Michael Thomas (13) as often as he did against Philly, which was 16 times. Thomas caught 12 and had a TD. He will be the problem of standout CBs Aqib Talib (21) and Marcus Peters (22), both of them willing to gamble in coverage.The Saints don’t have another outstanding wideout or tight end, but RB Kamara (41) almost equals Gurley for all the things he can do — and he’s healthier. Kamara and Ingram (22) will be challenged by a defense that shut down NFL rushing leader Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys and features the only unanimous All-Pro, DT Aaron Donald (99). Dealing with Donald and the other solid defensive linemen — Ndamukong Suh (93) and Michael Brockers (90) — will be a Saints unit led by LT Terron Armstead (71) and LG Andrus Peat (74), who have been bothered by chest and hand injuries, respectively, and RT Ryan Ramczyk (71). Giving Brees time and Kamara/Ingram holes could be decisive.SPECIAL TEAMSAn indoor game makes for stronger kicking and, often, less impact by placekickers and punters.LA PK Greg Zuerlein (4) and P Johnny Hekker (6) might have the most powerful legs in the league, and Zuerlein is a field-goal threat from 60 yards and in. Hekker probably could put a punt off the Superdome roof.Although Wil Lutz (3) missed a 52-yard FG attempt that kept the Eagles close last week, he’s reliable and Nick Bosa Jersey , for someone in his third season, has hit a bunch of pressure kicks. Thomas Morstead (6) is in his 10th season with New Orleans, longer than anyone except Brees.The Rams aren’t exceptional on returns, but they aren’t inept, either. JoJo Natson (19) has handled most of the punt runbacks, while Blake Countess (24) is the kick returner.New Orleans, like the Rams, has not returned a kick for a score. Tommylee Lewis (11) has become the main guy.COACHINGSean vs. Sean. Two entirely different Seans in terms of experience.New Orleans’ Payton is in his 12th season in charge; he missed 2012 while suspended in the Saints’ bounties scandal. His offensive schemes fit perfectly with Brees’ skillset, and he won’t be overwhelmed by the surroundings, having won the 2009 championship. Payton will gamble, including fake punts with his version of a Swiss Army knife, third-string QB Taysom Hill (7).LA’s McVay is the hot commodity on the pro football market. Every team looking for a new head coach has at least investigated people who’ve worked with McVay, who will be 33 next Thursday. He’s innovative, aggressive and, in some ways, one of the guys.Because both Seans are willing to go for it, this should be a fun battle of wits.INTANGIBLESThe Rams have never won a Super Bowl while representing Los Angeles; they got one in 2000 as St. Louis’ team — that Super Bowl also was in Atlanta. Wade Phillips, while never one of the NFL’s great coaches, is one of the best defensive coordinators ever. He’s eager to prove so again in facing such a productive attack.Brees is closer to the end of his career than perhaps anyone in this game http://www.cardinalscheapstore.com/byron-murphy-jersey-cheap , though he’s given no indication he is about to retire. Winning a second Super Bowl would cement his place among the sport’s top quarterbacks. Last week: 5-8-1Weeks 1 through 6: 42-44-4Last week wasn’t the best of weeks. Time to get back over the .500 mark…Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5) vs. Tennessee (London)The Chargers were quite impressive last week in Cleveland and seem to be hitting their stride. The Titans, well, they must protect Marcus Mariota a little better if they want to hang in this one.Regardless, hopefully this game will be a better showing for the London fans than Seahawks-Raiders was last week.Pick: Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5)Indianapolis (-7.5) vs. BuffaloThis game feels like it will be a struggle for both sides. For the Bills, Derek Anderson is an upgrade over Nathan Peterman, but that’s not exactly a compliment. Running backs do flourish in the passing game against the Colts defense, so keep an eye on LeSean McCoy.Pick: Buffalo (+7.5)Philadelphia (-5) vs. CarolinaEagles are 13-2 in their last 15 home games and are coming off of a thrashing of the Giants last Thursday night. They should come out fresh and ready to go.Pick: Philadelphia (-5)Tampa Bay (-3.5) vs. ClevelandIf you take away last week’s blowout loss, the Browns have been in every single game they’ve played in this season. I’d expect this one to be no different. Both Baker & Jameis have big days.Pick: Cleveland (+3.5)Detroit (-3) vs. MiamiIt is slated to be 88 degrees with 69% humidity on Sunday in Miami, and the Dolphins are 3-0 at home so far this season. They also have Kenyan Drake & the ageless Frank Gore to wear down a poor Lions run D.Pick: Miami (+3)Jacksonville (-4) vs. HoustonI honestly am not sure what to think of Jacksonville right now. I’ll take them here, though, as they’ll come out with an edge after being humiliated in Dallas last Sunday.Pick: Jacksonville (-4)Minnesota (-3.5) vs. New York JetsHow good is Adam Thielen?? With another 100 yards receiving this week, he would tie the NFL record with seven consecutive 100-yard games to begin a season. He is also on pace to break the single-season NFL record for catches. Not bad for a UDFA.Pick: Minnesota (-3.5)New England (-2.5) vs. ChicagoMitch Trubisky is a different QB at home (in a good way), but the Patriots offense is rolling right now.Pick: New England (-2.5)Baltimore (-2.5) vs. New OrleansDrew Brees has beaten every single NFL team in his career….. except the Ravens. Coming off a bye, he gets that W here.Pick: New Orleans (+2.5)Washington (-1) vs. DallasDallas is 0-3 on the road. Washington has beat some good teams at home. I’ll take Washington.Pick: Washington (-1)Los Angeles Rams (-9.5) vs. San Francisco9.5 points is a lot for a division game on the road. The Rams stay unbeaten, but it will be closer than some think.Pick: San Francisco (+9.5)Kansas City (-6) vs. CincinnatiThe Chiefs may have lost against the Patriots, but I’m sold on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense. They will score in bunches on Sunday Night & the Bengals won’t be able to keep up.Pick: Kansas City (-6)Atlanta (-4) vs. New York GiantsI mean, we’ve seen better Monday Night matchups.Pick: Atlanta (-4)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles have promoted Andy Weidl to vice president of player personnel to replace Joe Douglas.Weidl is entering his fourth season with the Eagles and worked in Baltimore with Douglas http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-quincy-williams-ii-jersey , who left to become the general manager of the New York Jets.The team also promoted Ian Cunningham to assistant director of player personnel and added general manager to personnel boss Howie Roseman’s title.Other promotions announced Thursday included: Brandon Brown (director of pro scouting), Bryce Johnson (director of football administration), Katie David (football operations director), Casey Weidl (director of scouting operations), Matt Holland (senior pro scout), Chris Nolan (player personnel scout), Ed Miller (assistant equipment manager), Craig Blake (assistant equipment manager). In addition, Ameena Soliman was hired as player personnel coordinator, Max Gruder was hired as assistant director of pro scouting and James Gilman was hired as quantitative analyst. GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — When Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers gets ready for his 15th season Ryquell Armstead Jersey , he’ll be working with a new coach and offensive coordinator.Plus, for the first time in his career, he’ll be directing a new offense.At least there will be a constant for the 35-year-old quarterback: the return of Luke Getsy as quarterbacks coach.A quality control coach in 2014 and 2015 and receivers coach in 2016 and 2017, Getsy spent last season as offensive coordinator and receivers coach at Mississippi State. His presence should ease the adjustments for the two-time MVP.“You’ve got to earn people’s trust, show them how much you care before they’re going to care about you and want to do well for you,” Getsy said on Monday as the team introduced the staff of new coach Matt LaFleur.“I think that phase is probably going to just happen quicker, naturally, being here for four years and creating a relationship. That part of it makes the transition much easier.“Installing a new offense and the new principles and all that stuff, we’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re going to rely on the relationship as far as the mutual trust, respect we have for each other, but we’ve got a lot of work to do to get him to dive into this offense fully and being able to function at a high level.”LaFleur said that Getsy’s history with the team was another reason for his hiring.“Certainly http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-gardner-minshew-ii-jersey , we’re going to find the best quarterback coach that’s out there,” LaFleur said. “Some things that I really did like about Luke was the fact that he played quarterback in college. I reached out not only to Aaron, but a couple other guys with him being in the building before, just to find out what they thought of him as a man and as a coach, and everybody gave him a thumbs-up.”Rodgers’ introduction into the new offense can’t start until the beginning of the offseason program on April 1.There’s a lot for the new coaching staff to do before the players return in six weeks, including preparation for the scouting combine, which begins later this month.LaFleur, Getsy and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett all will have input in the quarterbacks room. Making sure they’re delivering the same message to Rodgers and fellow quarterbacks DeShone Kizer and Tim Boyle will be key.“We’ve got three quarterback guys that are going to be hitting him from all angles,” LaFleur said. “I know that I need to be in that room as much as I possibly can because I am going to be the play-caller. I think that relationship between the play-caller and the quarterback is absolutely critical. I don’t foresee ever missing a quarterback meeting.”Getsy arrives at the change with a unique perspective. He spent four seasons teaching former coach Mike McCarthy’s playbook. Now, he’s spent a few weeks learning LaFleur’s playbook. Getsy said terminology will be the biggest change for Rodgers.“It has the West Coast roots. The backbone is what he’s comfortable,” Getsy said. “The timing Christian Wilkins Jersey , the rhythm and all that stuff that he’s really, really good at, I think that’s all there.“The principles are there. It’s just speaking the language. That’ll be the biggest thing — for everybody — because there’s a lot of people in this building that have been here a while and have been ingrained in the previous terminology.”Notes: LaFleur finalized his staff on Monday by promoting Chris Gizzi to strength and conditioning coordinator and retaining Mark Lovat, Thadeus Jackson and Grant Thorne as assistants. Gizzi spent the past five seasons working under Lovat, who had been the coordinator since 2010. “That is a critical hire,” LaFleur said. “You talk about the guys that are going to talk to the team the most, it’s going to myself, it’s going to be the special teams coordinator and it’s going to be the strength coach. Those three positions are absolutely critical to our success moving forward.”

FLORHAM PARK http://www.atlantafalconsteamonline.com/kaleb-mcgary-jersey , N.J. (AP) — Adam Gase spent most of his nearly 15-minute news conference batting down reports and rumors, while trying to set the record straight.The New York Jets coach has been the focus of lots of conversation — most of it not good — on sports talk radio, television and social media since the team fired general manager Mike Maccagnan last Wednesday. The widespread belief is that Gase had something to do with how everything went down, that he “backstabbed” Maccagnan and forced team chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson to make a change.“That would be false,” Gase insisted Thursday during his first news conference since Maccagnan was fired. “That’s just not true. Christopher made the decision.”On Monday, Gase took one question about the situation from reporters at the team’s facility and said there was no power struggle between him and Maccagnan. Gase acknowledged Thursday that the two didn’t always see eye to eye, but nothing unlike other NFL teams’ coaches and GMs.“The majority of the time, me and Mike were always on the same page,” Gase said. “You have disagreements. There are always going to be disagreements in this profession, as far as philosophy, what you want to do player personnel-wise, but at the end of the day he had the final decision. That was his right.”Gase was then asked if he expressed to Johnson at any point that he couldn’t work with Maccagnan.“No,” Gase said flatly.One of the rumored sources of tension between the two was the Jets giving running back Le’Veon Bell a four-year Kendall Sheffield Jersey , $52.5 million deal in free agency. According to some published reports, Gase didn’t want Bell; others said Gase was not happy about paying that much money for the former Steelers star.“The contract was what it was,” Gase said. “I mean, everybody can criticize contracts all you want, but he’s here, I’m excited he’s here, I think our players are excited he’s here and our coaches are. When you get a chance to coach a great player, a guy who has done things that no one has ever done in the league, like him we’re excited about that opportunity. I’m excited to get him in the offense, so I can start figuring out what else can we do with him. What hasn’t he done? What can he be great at in this system?”Gase also insisted he did not think the Jets overpaid for Bell, who has not attended the team’s voluntary workouts this offseason. He is expected to re-join his new teammates for mandatory minicamp next week.“Discussions are had and whether or not we disagreed on anything if it was financially, that’s a completely different story than the person or the player,” Gase said. “And that’s where a lot of this gets misconstrued. Le’Veon Bell is a great player http://www.atlantafalconsteamonline.com/john-cominsky-jersey , he’s a good person, he’s been in constant contact with me. I enjoyed my interaction with him when he was here, when he came up to visit for his physical and we signed him, when he was here for the beginning of Phase I. He texts me all the time. All that stuff on Instagram, I get it first. That’s how I know what he’s doing. He’s been great with me as far as contact goes, making sure that I know what he’s doing, where he’s working out at, where he is — whatever part of the United States he’s working out in.”There was a recent report that the Jets could even consider trying to trade Bell to get out of the big contract.“That’s ridiculous,” Gase said, shaking his head. “That’s the first time I’ve heard of that.”Gase is serving as the acting general manager while the Jets begin the process of hiring a new one, with the coach characterizing it as being in the “beginning stages.”Johnson said last week that Gase will assist in the search, but Gase reiterated that it will be the owner’s decision. Some have speculated that the incoming GM will likely have previous working ties with Gase, and the coach will have heavy influence on that new hire’s decision making.“I don’t know Qadree Ollison Jersey ,” Gase said. “I don’t really hang out with ‘yes men,’ so if it’s somebody I already know, it’s probably somebody that’s not going to be a ‘yes man.'”Gase was also asked if he thinks he needs to establish a line of trust with the fans who might be wary about how things have unfolded with him during the past few weeks.“I think our fans care whether we win or lose,” he said. “If we win games, nobody’s going to remember this. I know that. … Our job is to win — that’s it.”NOTES: First-round pick DL Quinnen Williams (calf) was not practicing for precautionary reasons. … CB Trumaine Johnson was not present during the voluntary practice. The NFL celebrated its 50th Super Bowl last year, marking a half-century since the AFL-NFL merger. The game has grown exponentially from its humble inception. It’s no longer possible for an intimate group of reporters to gather around a star quarterback while he sunbathes. The poolside Joe Namath photograph from Super Bowl III has transformed into scheduled press conferences and weeklong media extravaganzas.One thing has not changed. The greatest players deliver on the game’s biggest stage. This is as true today as it was in 1966. The mark of a champion often relies on his performance when the lights are brightest and these athletes proved their mettle decades ago. Among the fifteen, eleven are NFL Hall of Famers.The first fifteen Super Bowl MVPs include some of the most interesting stories, both on and off the field. The list includes the only MVP from a losing team, the only co-MVPs in Super Bowl history, and three repeat winners of the award.Once the lights faded on their storied careers, these legends took different paths. What did they go on to achieve outside the lines? “First 15 Super Bowl MVPs: Where Are They Now” takes a look at a few of the league’s historic names and forgotten faces.

Al Holcomb is following new Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks from Carolina to be defensive coordinator.

The Cardinals also hired Jeff Rodgers as special teams coordinator. The three hires were announced Friday Ben Banogu Jersey , just four days after Wilks was hired to replace Bruce Arians, who retired after a franchise-record 50 victories in his five seasons in the desert.

McCoy was offensive coordinator of the Denver Broncos for five seasons (2009-12 and again in 2017). He was head coach of the Chargers from 2013 to 2016.

Holcomb was linebackers coach of the Panthers for the past five seasons. Wilks spent five seasons as secondary coach in Carolina before being named defensive coordinator there last year. Rodgers was special teams coordinator of the Chicago Bears the past three seasons.

McCoy, 45, was a hot commodity in 2013 and the Cardinals were interested in him as a head coaching candidate at the time before he chose the Chargers and the Cardinals went with Arians. McCoy’s first two San Diego teams went 9-7 but they dipped to 4-12 in 2015. He was fired after San Diego went 5-11 in 2016.

He takes over an offense that has no quarterback. General manager Steve Keim has said he will be aggressive either by free agency, trade or the draft – or any combination of the three – to find a quarterback.

McCoy has experience in several offensive schemes and Wilks, whose coaching background is entirely on the defensive side of the ball, has made it clear he wants a strong running game.

”Someone mentioned a pass-happy league, which I agree it is Parris Campbell Jersey ,” Wilks said at his news conference Tuesday. ”But, I still believe this: You have to have a foundation of running the football. As a defensive coordinator, there’s nothing more demoralizing to a team than being able to run the ball. I mean, you’re talking about taking the air out of an individual. So, that’s going to be our premise. When you look at some of the premier running backs in the National Football League, we have one right here in (David) Johnson.”

Johnson, who led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and touchdowns in 2016, broke a wrist in the 2017 opener and missed the remainder of last season.

In 2011 Bobby Okereke Jersey , with McCoy as offensive coordinator, the Broncos led the NFL with a franchise-record 2,362 yards rushing.

McCoy was an assistant at Carolina for nine seasons before going to Denver. He was a quarterback at Long Beach State and Utah. He was on the practice squad at Green Bay and San Francisco and played in NFL Europe and the Canadian Football League before beginning his coaching career.

Holcomb, 47, helped develop one of the NFL’s best linebacking duos in Carolina with Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis.

He inherits what has been a strong defense anchored by All-Pro outside linebacker Chandler Jones, who led the league in sacks, and perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson.

James Bettcher, who served as defensive coordinator for four seasons under Arians after Todd Bowles left for the New York Jets Khari Willis Jersey , was hired Friday as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants under new head coach Pat Shurmur.

With Holcomb overseeing the linebacker corps, the Panthers finished third in the NFL in sacks, seventh in overall defense and third in run defense. The Panthers were the only team in the NFL not to allow a player to rush for 100 yards. Under Bettcher last season, Arizona was sixth in overall defense.

Rodgers, 40, has 17 years of coaching experience, 14 with special teams in the NFL. Special teams have often been a problem for the Cardinals in the Arians years.

—

Free agency is a beautiful thing, but it doesn’t always turn out to be as attractive as it seems. Players value fluctuates depending on the value of the position Josh Allen Jersey , and sometimes the best of what a player has produced. For instance, there weren’t many receivers in this past free agency, which allowed Sammy Watkins’ value to sky rocket, even though he struggled the past two seasons. The same thing also happened to Allen Robinson, who missed nearly all of last season due to an injury, but was the second highest paid wide receiver this offseason.The point is, sometimes free agency can be tricky. Then, there’s also those players who don’t match up well with the team they signed with. Sometimes they signed for the largest contract and it isn’t working out Jawaan Taylor Jersey , and other times there’s too much talent for a player to fit. It’s tough to really take a player and move him into the perfect situation.Halfway through the 2018 season, we have seen what a lot of these players can do on their new teams. There have players who have meshed well with their new team, while other players haven’t done so well with a new atmosphere.We’re going to take a look at those players who have signed with new teams in 2018, and where they should have gone. Looking at the top players of this offseason, there’s always better options if a player is struggling. Even if they fundamentally don’t look as good, another team can help patch up some of their miscues. So, who will it be?

”Come on Cullen Gillaspia Jersey ,” the catcher said.

He can thank his dominant starter for the latest addition. He played a pretty big role, too.

Iannetta homered in the seventh, Tyler Anderson pitched eight stellar innings in outdueling Andrew Suarez and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night to sweep a three-game series.

It was the first 1-0 game at Coors Field since June 12, 2010.

Anderson (6-3) scattered two hits and tied a season high with nine strikeouts. The left-hander didn’t allow a baserunner to reach second base.

”Tyler pitched great,” Rockies manager Bud Black said.

For that, Anderson credits a slight tweak in game plans, going with more cutters than changeups.

”It was helpful because I’ve faced those guys a lot,” Anderson said. ”If they want to sit on a changeup, it kind of helps to have something to equalize that.”

And of course, Anderson wanted the ball for the ninth.

”You always want to go out and finish it,” Anderson said. ”At the same time, Wade Davis is an unbelievable pitcher.”

Davis surrendered a two-out single to Andrew McCutchen and walked Buster Posey in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Brandon Crawford hit a deep foul ball before later flying out as Davis earned his 25th save.

Suarez (3-5) pretty much matched Anderson pitch for pitch in going seven innings and scattering five hits.

”A pitcher’s duel is always fun,” Suarez said. ”I enjoyed it, just that last inning I missed that one pitch.”

Suarez elevated a slider on a full count to Iannetta, who took a few steps down the line to make sure his hooking liner remained fair.

It did. The umpiring crew took a look and confirmed Iannetta’s seventh homer of the season.

Kelby Tomlinson and Brandon Belt both singled to account for the only Giants hits off Anderson. Over the three-game series Rock Ya-Sin Jersey , San Francisco mustered just three runs and hit a combined .152.

”It’s a tough one, the whole series,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ”We’ve got to rebound here, get the bats going.”

This was another strong outing for Anderson, who allowed four hits and no runs over eight innings in Los Angeles against the Dodgers last Friday.

He found a way to top it.

”He was good both times. He had command of four pitches,” Iannetta said. ”He was using all four quadrants of the zone. That’s really a difference maker. When you can command pitches, it makes it tough for hitters to get in a groove.”

Colorado had something brewing in the third, when DJ LeMahieu lined a one-out double to right. Charlie Blackmon followed with a sharp single off the glove of Joe Panik, who hustled after the baseball as LeMahieu took a wide turn. LeMahieu held at third and Suarez got the next two outs to escape the jam.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rockies: RHP Bryan Shaw (strained calf) threw 25 pitches in a simulated game Wednesday. Black said the reliever will throw Friday and Sunday for Triple-A Albuquerque. ”From there, we’ll make an assessment of where Bryan is,” Black said. ”But Bryan right now feels good, his arm feels great.”

STREAKING ARENADO

Nolan Arenado leads the NL with 22 homers this season. And to think, he thought he might not even hit one out this season.

No, seriously.

”The first month-and-a-half, felt like I wasn’t going to hit any homers this year http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/ben-banogu-jersey ,” Arenado said. ”Now I have 22. You have to ride the wave.”

THIS & THAT

Tomlinson was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento and started at third base. … Colorado snapped a four-game skid on the Fourth of July. … Of Colorado’s three 1-0 wins on solo homers, Iannetta has the last two, according to the team. He also accomplished the feat on July 18, 2010, at Cincinnati. … The game lasted just 2 hours, 15 minutes – the shortest at Coors Field this season.

UP NEXT

Giants: Begin a four-game series against St. Louis on Thursday, with Johnny Cueto (3-0, 0.84 ERA) expected to return to the mound. Cueto was placed on the disabled list May 1 – retroactive to April 29 – with inflammation in his right elbow. A few days later he visited Dr. James Andrews, who diagnosed him with a strained elbow.

Rockies: Off Thursday before playing a three-game series in Seattle. RHP German Marquez (6-8, 5.14) will throw for the Rockies on Friday, while the Mariners go with RHP Felix Hernandez (8-6, 5.11).

—


The four teams in the NFL conference championship games Sunday are among the league’s best at playing defense .

Here is a look at how the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots ranked in some key statistical categories during the regular season:

POINTS ALLOWED PER GAME

1. Vikings, 15.8

2. Jaguars Parris Campbell Jersey , 16.8

4. Eagles, 18.4

5. Patriots, 18.5

YARDS ALLOWED PER GAME

1. Vikings, 275.9

2. Jaguars, 286.1

4. Eagles, 306.5

29. Patriots, 366

RUSHING TDS ALLOWED

2. Patriots, 6

3. Eagles, 7

6. Jaguars, 9

9. Vikings, 10

SACKS

2. Jaguars, 55

7. Patriots, 42

15. Eagles, 38

17. Vikings, 37

OPPONENT PASSER RATING

1. Jaguars Will Harris Jersey , 68.5

3. Vikings, 73.0

9. Eagles, 79.5

17. Patriots, 89.5

INTERCEPTIONS

2. Jaguars, 21

4. Eagles, 19

13. Vikings, 14

18. Patriots, 12

TAKEAWAYS

2. Jaguars, 33

4. Eagles, 31

23. Vikings, 19

25. Patriots, 18

—

BRISTOL Darius Slayton Jersey , Conn. (AP) — “Monday Night Football” doubleheader between Denver and Oakland will feature analysts who played for the Broncos and Raiders.The network announced Wednesday that former Denver quarterback Brian Griese and former Raiders safety Louis Riddick will serve as the analysts alongside Steve Levy for the late game on Sept. 9. Laura Rutledge will be the sideline reporter.This is Griese’s second time in the booth for a Monday night opener after having worked last year’s early game between Detroit and the Jets with play-by-play announcer Beth Mowins and Rutledge.Griese and Levy work college football games together for ESPN and have called preseason games locally for the Broncos in Denver.The early game between Houston and New Orleans will feature the main booth of Joe Tessitore, Booger McFarland and sideline reporter Lisa Salters.
The slumping Chicago White Sox are playing a team that didn’t give up on its season despite a terrible start, so maybe they decided that was a pretty good strategy to adopt.

The White Sox could have easily given up on their Tuesday night game against the surging Cincinnati Reds despite falling behind 4-0 before they’d gotten an out and 7-2 following Adam Duvall’s three-run homer in the fifth inning.

And given up on the series, too, since the Reds beat them 5-3 on Monday for their 15th victory in a span of 20 games, the National League’s best record since June 10. The Reds also were 7-1 in interleague games.

Instead T.J. Hockenson Jersey , the White Sox managed to tie it first at 7-all on a Leury Garcia pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth and at 8-all on Avisail Garcia’s second home run of the game and third of the series, in the ninth.

The White Sox finally broke through to win it 12-8 in the 12th on Yoan Moncada’s bases-full triple that right fielder Brandon Dixon brought back over the wall to prevent a homer but couldn’t keep in his glove, and Yolmer Sanchez’s RBI triple — both off reliever Jackson Stephens.

“The pitch was up and in but I was able to put the barrel on it and get a triple,” said Moncada, who had a three-hit night after coming in with a .191 average in his previous 44 games. “Little by little, the work I’ve been putting in day in and day out http://www.lionscheapstore.com/jahlani-tavai-jersey-cheap , I’ve been feeling better (at the plate).”

Well before the 12th, the White Sox began their comeback as Daniel Palka hit a two-run homer in the fourth, then teamed with Garcia to homer in the sixth. Garcia has a 13-game hitting streak, and is 14-for-30 with four homers and six RBIs in his last six games.

Now, after winning for only the second time in six contests and the sixth time in 19 games, the White Sox are in position to take the series if they can win Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park. White Sox right-hander Dylan Covey (3-3 Will Harris Jersey , 4.82 ERA) will oppose Reds right-hander Sal Romano (4-8, 5.30) in a matchup of pitchers who haven’t faced the opposing team before.

Covey is in a major slump, going 0-2 with an elevated 12.71 ERA with 12 walks and three strikeouts over his last three starts — this after he was 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in his first three starts in June. His last time out, he surrendered four home runs and eight earned runs in 2 1/3 innings of a 11-3 loss to the Texas Rangers on Friday.

“I made a couple of mistakes they capitalized on,” Covey told reporters afterward. “For the most part I was throwing good pitches. They were just taking the borderline ones and were all over everything that was in the zone. I don’t have an explanation.”

Manager Rick Renteria did.

“I think there were probably a lot of pitches left over the center of plate,” he said.

Or exactly the kind of pitches the White Sox jumped on Tuesday while getting 15 hits in only their second extra-inning win of the season http://www.lionscheapstore.com/austin-bryant-jersey-cheap , as compared to three losses. By winning, the White Sox avoided falling to a season-worst 27 games below .500.

The Reds have put together a string of improbable victories while starting to turn their season around after being 3-15 and 8-27. But this was a game in which they couldn’t hold a succession of leads — 4-0, 7-2, 8-7 — as they played more like they did in April.

“It got away from us late, but that’s a good offensive baseball team,” Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said. “Garcia’s a bear to deal with right now and he got us. … But we had a big-enough lead that we should have put it away in nine (innings).”

The Reds wasted a pair of two-run homers in the first by NL batting leader Scooter Gennett and NL RBIs leader Eugenio Suarez http://www.packerscheapstore.com/rashan-gary-jersey-cheap , plus Duvall’s three-run shot and a timely play by Billy Hamilton in which he scored the go-ahead run in the eighth on a ground ball to shortstop against a drawn-in infield.

“(But) we’ve been playing too good of baseball to get hung up on one game,” Reds starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani said. “I don’t think this game is going to affect us one bit.”

Romano has pitched well in three of his last four starts, with a June 24 outing against the Cubs in which he gave up five runs in five innings being the only exception. He gave up only three runs over 20 innings in the other three starts.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (sore ankle) is expected back in the lineup after sitting out Tuesday for precautionary reasons.

After a slow start Cody Ford Jersey , Giancarlo Stanton has been on a roll for the Yankees.

Stanton hit a three-run homer, CC Sabathia pitched six effective innings, and the Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Wednesday.

Rookie second baseman Gleyber Torres left the game in the top of the fifth inning because of tightness in his right hip and afterward was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right hip strain.

”We’re hoping it’s a short stint. But we think we’ve got to deal with it this time because there is a small strain there,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said outside the home clubhouse after the game.

”Hopefully it won’t be something that it’s too long. Probably take us up to the All-Star break.”

After struggling in his first two months of his debut season in the Bronx, including three games at the end of March, Stanton managed just 11 homers and hit .245.

He settled in and improved in June with eight homers and a .298 average.

”Yeah I can always get better. So yeah, I got to put it together but there’s some balls that I’ve hit hard that could have been in the air, been better,” said Stanton, who’s 6 for 18 (.333) with two home runs and five RBIs through the first four games of July.

”But that’s talking millimeters of (a) difference here. But in terms of in the box, I feel very close.”

Aaron Judge added his 24th homer of the season in the seventh inning. He’s now homered in three of his past four games.

Catcher Kyle Higashioka also homered for the Yankees, becoming the ninth player since 1920 whose first three hits were home runs. Colorado’s Trevor Story homered for his first four big league hits on April 4-6, 2016.

The 28-year-old, who’s spent most of his first 10 professional seasons in the minors, except for a nine-game hitless stint last season, was surprised at what he’s been able to accomplish since his promotion June 25.

”I wouldn’t have thought that my first three hits in the major leagues would be homers, but the most important thing here is winning,” Higashioka said.

Sabathia (6-3) followed his impressive showing last Friday against Boston, the team with the best record in baseball, working out of a couple of jams for the Yankees Devin Singletary Jersey , who have won six of their past eight after getting swept in three games at Tampa.

National League East-leading Atlanta loaded the bases with two outs in the first, but the 37-year-old struck out 20-year-old phenom Ronald Acuna Jr. on an 88 mph cutter.

”That’s a good lineup. They have a very good team, some good hitters,” Sabathia said. ”Even when I felt I was in control I still had to make pitches. They made me work today.”

The Braves have lost their past two games.

New York took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Greg Bird’s RBI single off Atlanta starter Julio Teheran (6-6), who lasted just five innings, allowing five hits and five runs. He walked four and struck out 10.

The Yankees got to Teheran again in the third.

With a runner on first and two outs, Aaron Hicks walked. Stanton then fell behind 0-2 before hitting a line drive to the right field bleachers for his 21st homer of the season to make it 4-0.

After retiring the first two batters in the fourth, Teheran fell behind 2-0 against Higashioka before the rookie connected to the left field stands, extending the lead to 5-0.

”You can’t make mistakes to this team,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. ”The way that ball flies around in right center and over, it’s just dangerous. That’s why they are who they are. In spurts, he threw the ball really well.”

The Braves cut the deficit to 5-1 on an RBI grounder from Danny Santana with one out in the fifth. Johan Camargo hit his ninth home run of the season with two outs in the sixth that made it 5-2. But Sabathia limited the damage by retiring Dansby Swanson on a grounder to second with a runner aboard.

Atlanta failed to take advantage in the seventh inning against reliever Chad Green when its first two batters reached on a pair of singles. Green then got three fly outs to end the threat.

PUT ME IN COACH

With New York set to play 11 games in 10 days, beginning Friday at Toronto, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he wanted to be ”greedy” with Thursday being their only day off, and held Austin Romine out of the starting lineup for the fourth consecutive day. Higashioka started for the fourth straight time behind the plate.

The Yankees have been short-handed at catcher since Romine left the game on June 29 against Boston in the seventh inning because of a tight left hamstring. Gary Sanchez has been on the 10-day disabled list since June 25 because of a strained right groin.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: 1B Freddie Freeman, who was hit by a pitch in the third inning, left the game after the fourth because of a contusion in his right upper arm. He expects to be back in the lineup Thursday in Milwaukee.

”I tried to go down in the cage and swing and pretty much topped the ball off the tee,” Freeman said. ”I couldn’t really extend the arm going through the zone. I had no strength. It just kind of swelled up and it looks like a baseball on my tricep right now.”

WELCOME BACK

LHP Luiz Gohara, the No. 3 prospect in the Atlanta organization, arrived about 90 minutes before the first pitch after he was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett for the second time this season. RHP Evan Phillips, who threw 2 1/3 innings Tuesday night Dawson Knox Jersey , was sent down to Trip

TORONTO — The Detroit Tigers will start a former Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Saturday afternoon for the second game in a row in another attempt to end a losing streak that has reached 10 games.

Former Blue Jays left-hander Francisco Liriano could not do the job Friday night — allowing three runs in six innings — as the Blue Jays defeated the Tigers 3-2 in the opener of a four-game series at the Rogers Centre.

This time, the former Blue Jay is Matt Boyd (4-6, 4.15 ERA), who will face Toronto right-hander Sam Gaviglio (2-2, 3.98) in the second game of the series.

The Tigers (36-47), who are 13-26 on the road, have lost 10 games in a row for the first time since Sept. 13-22, 2003, the season in which they lost 119 games.

“We had some opportunities, but it’s the same story,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “You pitch really good and you don’t score, or you don’t pitch good enough and it just extends on. The guys are really trying, they’re bothered out there and they’re frustrated. They want to win, the guys are really pushing hard in the dugout, but it’s just not happening right now.”

The Tigers have lost 11 of their past 13 games in Toronto.

The Blue Jays (38-43), who were returning from a 3-4 road trip that easily could have been better, have won nine of their past 10 home games. They are 21-20 at home.

Boyd took the loss Sunday at Cleveland when he allowed six runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out five in three innings.

The start Saturday will be his 16th of the season.

In four career starts against the Blue Jays, Boyd is 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA. He did not factor in the decision June 2 against Toronto at Comerica Park when he gave up four runs, six hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out three.

Boyd, who was sent to the Tigers July 30 Brian Burns Jersey , 2015, as part of the trade that sent David Price to the Blue Jays, is 0-3 with an 8.66 ERA in four career starts at the Rogers Centre.

Gaviglio will be making his 10th appearance and eighth start of the season.

In his past three starts, he is 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA and has pitched only 12 innings.

He has faced the Tigers once in his career, allowing two runs in five innings in a no decision.

The Tigers have been outscored 64-26 during their losing streak.

Before the game Friday, the Blue Jays selected the contract of utility player Darnell Sweeney from Triple-A Buffalo. He was batting .232 with six homers and 21 RBIs in 47 games. He has played all infield positions except first base, both corner outfield positions and also pitched a scoreless inning.

Sweeney takes the roster spot of outfielder Steve Pearce, who was traded Thursday night to the Boston Red Sox for shortstop Santiago Espinal, who will play at Class A Dunedin.

Moving Pearce means that Kendrys Morales will again see regular use as the designated hitter and breaks up a logjam in the outfield. The Blue Jays return to four outfielders with Teoscar Hernandez, Randal Grichuk, Kevin Pillar and Curtis Granderson.

Espinal, 23, batted .313 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in 65 games with Class A Salem in the Red Sox organization.

“Middle-of-the-diamond players, you can’t have enough of them,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Friday. “The athleticism, that’s where it all begins. If you can play in the middle, you can often play anywhere else, so that’s first and foremost. (Espinal) is an above-average runner and performing well at a decent level, so there’s plenty to like.”